Small Cars, Small Discounts Add Up

Want to spend less than $20,000 on a new car? $15,000? The new small cars on the market are worlds beyond what you may have experienced 10 or even five years ago, and their small prices mean that even small incentives are a relatively big percentage of their total cost. $1,000 cash back can really make a difference on a $15,000 car payment.

Here are a list of new small cars, their starting MSRP and their cash-back offers. Many readers point out that the base MSRP is often for a manual transmission model, which is true. That means these cash-back offers should at least take the sting out of equipping a car with an automatic.

All cash-back incentives are either national offers or specific to Chicago. Check our incentives page and the manufacturers’ sites for specific details in your area. All listed incentives end 3/31.

2009 Toyota Yaris
MSRP: $12,205
Cash back: $1,000

2009 Toyota Matrix
MSRP:  $16,290
Cash back: $1,250

2009 Nissan Sentra
MSRP: $16,730
Cash back: $2,250

2009 Dodge Caliber
MSRP: $16,460
Cash back: $15,232 (Employee Pricing sale price)

2009 Mazda3 Sedan
MSRP: $14,690
Cash back: $1,000 (plus 0% financing for 36 months, and no payments for three months)

2009 Hyundai Accent Sedan
MSRP: $12,920
Cash back: $1,000

2009 Hyundai Elantra
MSRP: $14,120
Cash back: $1,000

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
MSRP:  $17,800
Cash back: $1,000

2008 Kia Rondo
MSRP: $16,745
Cash back: $4,000

2009 Ford Focus Sedan
MSRP: $15,520
Cash back: $2,500

2009 Chevy Cobalt Sedan
MSRP: $14,990
Cash back: $2,500

2009 Chevy Aveo
MSRP: $11,965
Cash back: $1,000